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Hazleton Area grants raises to 41 teachers

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The Hazleton Area school board recently granted salary increases to a slate of recently-hired teachers.

According to district Business manager Tony Ryba, 41 of the most recently-hired teachers were brought on staff around the time the existing teaching staff received its "half-year" raise. Ryba said the new teachers were hired at the pre-raise pay rate, but the teachers' labor contract entitles the new teachers to a contractual rate of pay that includes the raise.

The board of education gave unanimous approval to the salary increase recommendation.

Teachers hired at the board's July 18 meeting who qualify for the wage increase include:

n Andrew Bannister, whose $43,046 salary will increase to $43,745.

n Brianna DePierro, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Shae Ferst, from $47,059.50 to $47,415.

n Rudina Francis, from $46,354.50 to $47,454.

n Amanda George, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Katelynn Knick, from $44,833.50 to $45,333.

n Lisa Manjone, from $40,844.50 to $41,731.

n Jennifer Mason, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Joseph Parsons, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Adrienne Rebarchak, from $43,353 to $44,052.

n Julie Walko, from $54,692.50 to $55,748.

n Lindsey Bower, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Scott Campbell, from $42,585.50 to $43,131.

n Daniel Corrado, from $42,739 to $43,438.

n Heather Dale, who was hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $40,424.

n Dominique Dennison, from $44,460 to $45,559.

n Vanessa Felegie, from $42,585.50 to $43,131.

n Lori Gallagher, who was hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $39,353.

n Robert Hudak, from $39,844 to $40,424.

n Ryan Klingaman, from $42,739 to $43,438.

n Cory Koziel, from $39,844 to $40,424.

n Christina Kurtz, from $39,998 to $40,731.

n Chelsea Malloy, from $39,844 to $40,424.

n Judith Matriccino, from $48,357 to $55,693.

n Kathryn Pavlick, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Heather Prokipchak, from $39,844.50 to $40,424.

n Lauren Verret, from $39,998 to $40,731.

n Tara Werner, hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $45,640.

n Gina Yocum, hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $43,131.

n Nancy Zalenski, hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $43,131.

n Kathleen Zehner, who was hired at a salary to be determined, was approved for $40,424.

Teachers hired at the board's August 29 meeting and their adjusted salaries include:

n Alicia Nelson, from $39,998 to $40,731.

n Jessica Shafer, from $42,585.50 to $43,131.

n Megan Bell, David Cannella, Mary Lynn Hartz, Marisa Lagana, McKayla Nowak, Stephanie Paden, Noelle Perchak and Heather Zazycki, all of whom were hired at a salary of $39,844.50, will receive an increase to $40,424.

Also at its regular September meeting, the board approved hire of special education teacher Erica Berta at a salary of $47,415, and language arts and social studies teacher Regina Smith at a salary of $45,333. Action to approve the two new hires was approved retroactive to Sept. 3.

The board also approved tenure for five teachers including:

n Kelly Cook, an elementary and secondary English teacher at Drums Elementary/Middle School.

n Charissa Picotti-Fanny, teacher of K-12 music and high school English at Hazleton Elementary/Middle School.

n Amy St. Pierre, an early childhood and elementary teacher at Drums Elementary/Middle School.

n Jessica Stauffer, an early childhood and elementary teacher at Hazleton Elementary/Middle School.

n Megan Taylor, an elementary and secondary counselor at the high school.

mlight@standardspeaker.com

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